Mourinho is always close to his players - Michael Essien

By Ameenu Shardow

Michael Essien has dismissed persistent reports manager Jose Mourinho is at war with some of his players at Real Madrid.

The iconic manager has parted ways with the dethroned Spanish champions and will be leaving the Bernabeu this summer.

Mourinho’s departure is widely reported have been influenced by aside his inability to win any trophy this term to his fallout with some of the key players at Real Madrid including legendary captain Iker Casillas.

The tough-talking Portuguese is also said to be feuding with Cristiano Ronaldo, Sergio Ramos, Pepe and even the often quiet Xabi Alonso.

Amongst other things, Mourinho has been described by sections of the Spanish media as a destructive character who has succeeded in creating animosity between Spain’s national team players at Real Madrid and Barcelona.

But Michael Essien who has played under the former Inter boss for several years including their time at Chelsea insists Mourinho is always close to his players though not afraid to tell in the face when his players are slacking in performance.

“I think he has got something that most of the managers don’t have; he’s very close with his players, always trying to get the best out of his players,” Essien said in excepts of a promotional video for his upcoming charity game in Ghana.

“He knows how to talk to his players and he knows like when you are not doing well he tells you so you do well in the next game or the first half or anything…the second half you go back and keep fighting.

“He is very close to his players and always talking to his players.”

Mourinho is widely reported to be on his way to rejoining Chelsea – where he will be reunited with Michael Essien who is also expected to return to Stamford Bridge when his loan spell at Real Madrid expires at the end of the campaign.